MILESTONES: LOVE

Accolades fade, but love endures

Ancient Romans erected stone pillars called “obelisks” along roads, typically a mile apart. Each “mile stone” was assigned a number to help travelers know how far they had gone on their journey and how far they had to go. We still use a system of mile markers on highways, and we understand “mile stones” as a metaphor for marking significant events in our lives.

Graduation is a milestone. It can mark the end of childhood, a heading out into the world to pursue further education or a first job. It’s an accomplishment that, oddly, often is mentioned at one’s funeral. Where and when you graduated from high school serves as a milestone, along with college graduation, marriage, big career moments, the birth of children and so on. Whether you reflect on it or not, you’ve already reached many milestones and have many to go. One day (hopefully), the most significant, still-living people in your life will gather and speak about the milestones of your life. What will they say?

Here’s what I’ve noticed: after briefly mentioning one’s significant graduation moments, career moves, accomplishments and accolades, the most moving eulogies speak to how someone loved others and cared for the people around them. In the final summation, love is what matters the most.

Jesus was asked once, “What is the greatest commandment?” In other words, what matters the most in this life? What actions speak best to the heart of life? He quoted words from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

There are three spheres of love: love for God, love for neighbor and love for self. Life is a journey in some sense of learning to love who you are, just as you are, and as you can be. It’s a milestone to know who you are and to love that person. Life also is a pathway to learning to love others. A Catholic monk, writer and activist named Thomas Merton said, “The begin- ning of love is the will to let those we love be perfectly themselves, the resolution not to twist them to fit our own image.” And finally, according to Jesus, learning to love God marks life’s road, in all of God’s mystery, with all of one’s heart.

Mahatma Ghandi said, “Love is the strongest force the world possesses, and yet it is the humblest imaginable.” More than any achievement or any power gained, love has the greatest capacity to change the world for good. The apostle Paul wrote, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (I Corinthians 13)

A legacy of love endures when accolades become distant echoes and diplomas turn to dust. May we mark life’s journey well — by learning to love God, our neighbors and ourselves.

CLASSES/TUTORING/ LESSONS

LEARN NEW TESTAMENT GREEK Beginners intermediates; Rice, TCU, DTS ex; John Cunyus 214-662-5494 www.JohnCunyus.com

PIANO LESSONS All ages & levels. Over 20 years experience. Oak Cliff area. Call Tim at 214-989-7093

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AIRLINE CAREERS Begin Here. Get Trained As FAA Certified Aviation Technician. Financial Aid For Qualified Students. Job Placement Assistance. AIM 866-453-6204

FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES 3108 Seeking Bar Staff. Apply In Person.@ 8500 Arturo Dr. 75228

BUSINESS

OPPORTUNITIES

Viva Selena!

Ana Rodríguez takes a photo of Candy Luna, left, and Teresa Luna, right, at the Selena party at Country Burger last month. The party was hosted by Sour Grapes artists collective and featured a car show, Selena-related artwork and music from DJ Sober. Photos by James Coreas

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DISH TV Retailer. Save. Starting $19.99/month (for 12 months)

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ATLANTIS DESIGN-BUILD, LLC

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NEW

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EST. 1991 #1

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KITCHEN/BATH/ TILE/GROUT

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MELROSE TILE James Estrello Sr., Installer 40 Yrs. Exp. MelroseTile.com 214-384-6746

STONE AGE COUNTER TOPS

Granite, Marble, Tile, Kitchen/Bath Remodels. 972-276-9943 stoneage.dennis@verizon.net

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LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

25% OFF TREE WORK Trim. Roberts Tree Svc. Insd. 10 yrs exp. 214-808-8925

A BETTER TREE COMPANY • JUST TREES

Complete tree services. Tree & Landscape Lighting! Mark 214-332-3444

GREENSKEEPER Winter Clean Up & Color. Sodding, Fertilization. Lawn Maintenance & Landscape. Res/Com. 214-546-8846

HOLMAN IRRIGATION

Sprinkler & Valve Repair/ Rebuild Older Systems. Lic. #1742. 214-398-8061

JD TREE SERVICE Tree Trimming, Tree Planting 214-946-7138

JD’S TREE SERVICE Mantels, Headboards, Kitchen Islands, Dining tables. Made from Local Trees. www.jdtreeservice.com 214-946-7138

ORTIZ LAWNCARE Complete Yard Care. Service by Felipe. Free Est. 214-215-3599

U R LAWN CARE Maintenance. Landscaping. Oak Cliff resident for over 15 years. uwereisch@yahoo.com 214-886-9202

LAWNS, GARDENS & TREES

A Better Tree Company

JUST TREES

Your Trees Could Look Like a Work of Art, I Guarantee It. Free Estimates • Work Guaranteed Best Prices on Tree Removal Insured

• Commercial & Residential Tree & Landscape Lighting

• Fence & Deck Call Mark Wittlich 214-332-3444

Locally harvested wood!

JD’s Tree Service

RESPONSIBLE TREE CARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Firewood/Cooking Wood Full service trimming & planting of native trees. 214.946.7138

Pest Control

A BETTER EARTH PEST CONTROL Keeping the environment, kids, pets in mind. Organic products avail. 972-564-2495

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